Bottle-indicator.



PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

W. H. BIXLER.

BOTTLE INDICATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY? 1905 I 1 1 I i I I r I I r I w vide a device of this class in which the float' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOTTLE-INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1906.

Application filed July 7, 1905- Serial No. 268,595.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WASHINGTON H. BIX- LER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Easton, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bottle-Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bottles, and especially to an indicating attachment therefor, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this charactor in which the indicating member or float will at all times disclose at a glance the proper surface level of the genuine liquid within the bottle, thus to obviate refilling of the latter and prevent the fraudulent substitution of an inferior grade of goods for that originally contained in the bottle.

A further object of the invention is to prowill move freely downward to the surface level of the liquid, one in which the float will be automatically locked against upward movement, and one wherein tampering with the float or removal of the guide is obviated. With these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through a bottle equipped with an indicator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the float and adj acent parts. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the section being taken at right angles to that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the guide element. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the locking members or dogs. Fig. 6 is a reverse plan view of the guard. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of float. Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a bottle of the usual or any appropriate material and having a neck 2, in which is seated a guard member or disk 3, provided with radiating arms or portions 4, having their outer terminals embedded in the neck, there being formed in the normally lower or inner face of the guard 3 a substantially C-shaped recess 5. Extending centrally and longitudinally through the bottle 1 is aguide element 6, having its upper end seated in the recess 5 and its lower end seated, as at 7, upon the bottom of the bottle, said guide element being of substantially C shape in cross-section to present edge walls 8 and a pair of spaced inturnedengaging portions or flanges 9, there being formed in the edge walls 8 a series of vertically and equidistantly spaced openings 10, producing engaging portions or teeth.

Arranged for sliding movement on the guide element 6 is a spherical indicating member or float 11, having a central opening 12 to receive the element, in which latter there is situated for sliding movement a bearing member or plate 13, having pivoted thereto a pair of reversely-disposed latching members or dogs 14, carried by horizontal pintles 15,

projected through the space between the flanges 9 and engaged in the float 11 for connecting the bearing member 13 thereto.

In practice the indicating member or float 1 l is initially set at the upper end of the guide 6 and at the original surface level of the liquid contained in the bottle. As the liquid is discharged the float gradually moves downward upon the guide element for disclosing the level of the liquid, it being understood that as the float descends the members or dogs 14, through engagement with the portions or teeth formed in the walls of the guide by the openings 10, will prevent rising of the float should additional liquid be introduced into the bottle, whereby refilling of the bottle may be detected at a glance.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a modified form of the device in which theguide element 16 is in the form of a bar having its edges serrated to form teeth 17, adapted for engagement by the free terminals of spring-engaging members or dogs 18, fixed in the bar-receiving opening 19, formed through the float 20. In other respects the construction and operation of the device are identical with the above described.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I produce a simple device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view, it being understood that minor changes in the details herein set forth may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is A bottle having a neck, a guard member disposed in the latter and provided with radial portions terminally engaged in the neck, a hollow guide element extended longitudinally of the bottle and provided with teeth, said element having its upper end embedded in the guard member, a float arranged for movement on the guide, a block slidably dis- In testimony whereof I affiX signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WASHINGTON H. BIXLER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. B. BRUNNER, A. GIEs. 

